Electricity in Canada: 20 Facts & Statistics

20 Facts on Canadian Electricity

#1 - Canada was the 7th largest electricity producer in the world in 2023, accounting for approximately 2% of global production ^[1]

#2 - Canada was the 6th largest electricity producer in the world in 2023, accounting for approximately 6% of global exports ^[1]

#3 - Top source of electricity generation by province and territory in Canada (2024) ^[1]:

British Columbia – Hydro (87.5% of total generation)
Alberta – Natural Gas (73%)
Saskatchewan – Natural Gas (52.1%)
Manitoba – Hydro (96.3%)
Ontario – Nuclear (47.7%)
Quebec – Hydro (92.8%)
Prince Edward Island – Wind (92%)
New Brunswick – Hydro (22.2%)
Nova Scotia – Coal (38.9%)
Newfoundland & Labrador – Hydro (96.7%)
Nunavut – Petroleum (99.9%)
Northwest Territories – Petroleum (63.6%)
Yukon – Hydro (76.6%)

#4 - Total electrical energy use as a share of total demand by province (2023) ^[1]:

Quebec – 38.4%
Ontario – 25.6%
British Columbia and Territories – 10.8%
Alberta – 10.8%
Atlantic Provinces – 6.6%
Saskatchewan – 4%
Manitoba – 3.7%

#5 - Canada’s renewable electricity generation has grown 4% between 2011 and 2024, with solar and wind seeing the largest increases ^[1]

#6 - In 2024, 78% of Canadian electricity supply came from renewables and nuclear; hydro accounted for 55%, nuclear at 13%, and other renewables at 10% ^[1]

#7 - Coal accounted for just 3% of Canada’s electricity generation in 2023 ^[1]

#8 - Canada was the 3rd largest hydroelectricity producer in the world in 2023, accounting for 8% of global production ^[1]

#9 - Canada was also home to the 9th largest capacity of wind power in the world in 2025, accounting for 1% of global capacity ^[1]

#10 - Canada’s solar electricity is growing rapidly, with both capacity up 2.4x and generation up 3x more in 2024 than in 2014 ^[1]

#11 - Canada was the 6th largest nuclear electricity producer in 2023, accounting for 3% of global production ^[1]

#12 - All of Canada’s electricity trade is with the United States; in 2025, Canada exported 31.6 Terawatt-hours (TWh) to the U.S., while importing 25.2 TWh ^[1]

#13 - Canada’s total electricity imports from the U.S. in 2025 jumped 8.2% to 25.2 TWh, the highest level observed since the series was redesigned. In contrast, exports fell 10.4% to 32.1 TWh ^[4].

#14 - Since 2022, Canada’s net electricity trade with the U.S. has dropped significantly, as Canada has started importing more power to meet rising domestic demand ^[1]

#15 - Electricity accounted for 22% of Canada’s secondary energy use by fuel type in 2022, where secondary energy is defined as the energy required to run vehicles, heat and cool buildings, and run machinery ^[1]

#16 - Electricity accounted for 31% of Canada’s water-heating energy use in 2023 ^[1]

#17 - Electricity accounted for 33% of Canada’s space-heating energy use in 2023 ^[1]

#18 - Electricity accounted for 20% of Canada’s industrial sector energy use in 2023 ^[1]

#19 - Canadian electricity demand is projected to grow significantly between 2023 and 2050, with end-use demand increasing by 44% ^[3]

#20 - By 2050, the share of electricity in Canada’s end-use mix is expected to rise to nearly 23%, up from approximately 18% today ^[3]

Canada’s Electricity Future & Growing Demand

Canada’s electricity future will be shaped by one unmistakable trend: demand is rising as homes, industries, transportation, and new technologies rely more heavily on power. While the Canada Energy Regulator expects end-use demand to grow by more than 44%, other estimates suggest the country must more than double its electricity supply over the next 25 years ^[4].

The scale of this challenge is enormous. Electricity Canada warns that national demand could more than double over the next 25 years, rising from roughly 600 TWh per year to more than 1,200 TWh annually ^[4]. At the same time, the grid will need to support more electric vehicles, more electric heating, more industrial electrification, and expanding data-centre demand, all while remaining reliable and affordable. Meeting that kind of growth will require faster project approvals, major capital investment, and stronger transmission systems that can move electricity more efficiently across provinces and regions.

Canada’s electricity future depends not only on building more generation, but also on modernizing existing transmission capabilities, improving system stability, and planning for demand growth before supply constraints emerge. If Canada gets that buildout right, abundant and reliable electricity can remain one of the country’s greatest advantages for communities, industry, and long-term national prosperity for decades to come.

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Canada’s electricity sector is a foundational part of our economy and modern way of life. From powering industry and heating homes to supporting trade with the United States and enabling future growth, electricity helps keep our country running every single day.

Looking ahead, electricity demand in Canada is expected to grow significantly through 2050. With abundant hydro resources, a growing nuclear fleet, expanding wind and solar capacity, and a diverse generation mix across the provinces and territories, including natural gas, Canada is well positioned to meet that demand.

As the need for reliable, affordable, and abundant power continues to rise, it’s essential that Canada’s abundant access to electricity remains an advantage for our economy, our communities, and our future.

Nuclear energy is an increasingly important part of Canada's economic future.

Demand for energy is on the rise, and Canadian energy producers are the solution. pic.twitter.com/rj4HLbLN5d
— Canada Action (@CanadaAction) August 28, 2026